MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The horticulture club at Mississippi State University took home top honors at the American Society for Horticultural Science annual conference held in late July in Orlando, Florida.

The MSU team placed second overall in the student competition, which included plant identification of greenhouse and woody ornamental crops; a commodity quality judging competition of greenhouse, woody ornamental, vegetable and fruit and nut crops; and a written exam. Team members included Lauren Gamblin of Akron, Ohio; Christine Jackson of Versailles, Kentucky and Spencer Waschenbach of Kahoka, Missouri.

The MSU team placed first in greenhouse crops and vegetable crops and second in woody ornamental crops, fruit and nut crops and the written exam. The team members also captured several individual awards.

“Our team consists of collaborative, focused students whose drive and dedication resulted in several individual and team victories,” said Richard L. Harkess, professor of plant and soil sciences. “The American Society for Horticultural Science is one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. I am proud of this dynamic group as they represent Mississippi State University on this national stage.”

The students pay their own way to competitions by raising funds through on-campus horticulture club plant sales held seasonally. Plant sales also help pay for other student activities, such as educational trips and community service projects.

The club’s next competition will be at the Southern Region ASHS meeting in February 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences is in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and offers undergraduate majors in agronomy, horticulture and environmental science in agricultural systems.